Prince Philip was flawed. He was also family

Opinion by Kate Maltby
6 minute read
Updated 7:29 PM EDT, Fri April 9, 2021
Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990.
Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990.
Terry O'Neill/Iconic Images/Getty Images
Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.
Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.
Topical Press Agency/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip, second from right, enjoys a family vacation in Mamaia, Romania, in 1928.
Prince Philip, second from right, enjoys a family vacation in Mamaia, Romania, in 1928.
AP
Prince Philip, second from left, is seen with schoolmates at the MacJannet American School outside of Paris.
Prince Philip, second from left, is seen with schoolmates at the MacJannet American School outside of Paris.
Picture Post/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.
Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.
Fox Photos/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip was the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.
Prince Philip was the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.
Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.
Topical Press Agency/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip practices cricket while in the Royal Navy in 1947.
Prince Philip practices cricket while in the Royal Navy in 1947.
Douglas Miller/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in November 1947.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in November 1947.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Philip and Elizabeth hold their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
Philip and Elizabeth hold their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip jumps off water skis on a beach in Marmaris, Turkey, in 1951. The photo was taken during his last posting as commander of the HMS Magpie, a Royal Navy ship.
Prince Philip jumps off water skis on a beach in Marmaris, Turkey, in 1951. The photo was taken during his last posting as commander of the HMS Magpie, a Royal Navy ship.
Hulton Deutsch/Corbis/Getty Images
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth dance in Ottawa in October 1951.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth dance in Ottawa in October 1951.
Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.
Fox Photos/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.
Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Prince Philip plays polo for Cowdray Park in the semifinals of the Roehampton Cup in 1954.
Prince Philip plays polo for Cowdray Park in the semifinals of the Roehampton Cup in 1954.
PA Images/Getty Images
The Queen, center, and Prince Philip, left, pose with a tiger Philip killed on a hunting trip in India in 1961. They are seen with the Maharaja and the Maharani of Jaipur.
The Queen, center, and Prince Philip, left, pose with a tiger Philip killed on a hunting trip in India in 1961. They are seen with the Maharaja and the Maharani of Jaipur.
Central Press/AFP/Getty Images
Prince Philip sails during the Cowes Regatta in August 1962.
Prince Philip sails during the Cowes Regatta in August 1962.
George Silk/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.
Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.
Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.
Fox Photos/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
The royal couple return to Buckingham Palace after a ceremony in June 1965.
The royal couple return to Buckingham Palace after a ceremony in June 1965.